This oddity of contemporary rock and roll demonstrates
playful creativity and gives you permission to hop onboard
and play.
I’m talking about the Traveling Wilburys. You may have
bumped into stories about them or heard their music. I
recommend, in addition to listening to the music, that you
watch the DVD that comes with the 3 disk set. The behind
the scenes section is a master class on playful creativity.
I’ve watched it three times. What they do is so beautiful,
their relationships so loving, I am moved to tears each
time I see it.
The story starts with George Harrison, yes of the Beatles,
thinking it would be fun to get together with some friends
and jam a bit. But one of his guitars is over at Tom’s
house. That would be Tom Petty. So Petty is now in on the
fun.
The night before, he had dinner with Roy Orbison. So, Roy
was there.
Because he has a small recording studio in his house, they
give Bob a call.
George says, “You can call Bob for years and not get
answer. This time he picked up the phone on the first
ring.”
So, Dylan is in on it. And so it goes as they gather for a
couple of weeks in May 1988 of writing, playing, singing,
recording, and producing before Bob has to go on tour.
Everyone did each of those tasks. They all played
together.
Harrison spent much of his energy making sure everyone
stayed friends. He created a place of safety and playful
harmony for everyone. Egos disappeared and joy emerged.
Get this. None of them needed to make money with this
project. Harrison says, “If we had tried to get these
people together to make an album it would never have
worked.” Why do you think this is so?
They just got together to play. Note the multiple meanings
of that word play.
They had so much fun and the results were so good they
wanted to share it. You and I benefit.
Several of these men are experienced songwriters, Dylan
being the fastest and the most prolific, but even they used
tools to jump-start their writing. Take note.
Here’s what they did. They passed out magazines to
everyone and they flipped through pages and shouted out
words from ads. This produced– Dirty World, a good-natured
song that makes me laugh with good humor. It reminds me of
early Frank Zappa lyrics.
The behind the scenes DVD shares their fears, too. Get
this: Fear of singing? Fear of singing!? Woof!
Remember these musicians have all been singing publicly to
huge audiences and in recording studios for decades.
They were afraid to follow Roy Orbison to the mike. Who
wouldn’t be humbled by that?
Further note: Their fear DID NOT STOP THEM.
I relearned –
1. Fear doesn’t go away.
2. Fear doesn’t stop you.
What can you learn from that?
Jeff Lynne, of Electric Light Orchestra, demonstrates
wrestling with the muse. She dragged him out of bed and
sent him to the studio. He broke into the studio one night
and changed the chord structure of a song leaving the
vocals untouched. The guys liked it when they arrived in
the morning.
If you act on my suggestions, you will meet the muse too.
It’s a good thing. She, who must be obeyed.
Upgrade your right brain. Listen to music. Play music,
even poorly. Write silly songs. Write powerful songs from
your heart. All of these will expand your right brain and
improve your life. I promise.
Take their master class –
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=B000P0J024/williamwittmannA/
Naturally, Amazon will let you listen to samples to hear
what I’m talking about.
The Seattle Library had a copy.
Paradigms Addressed:
Upgrading Your Right Brain http://tinyurl.com/34del4
Blessings,
William
PS Pass this on to anyone you think might benefit from a master class.
Beech Mountain, North Carolina, does have a big Oz connection, although it’s not one that casual Oz fans will generally know about. Back in the ’70s, there was a Wizard of Oz theme/amusement park there. It lasted into the early ’80s, but lack of business and a fire eventually shut it down. However, there is an annual Oz festival at the park site every fall.